Thursday 23rd April – Today, The Great Escape announces Angine de Poitrine will headline the Opening Beach Party at The Deep End, TGE Beach site on Wednesday 13th May 2026, presented in partnership with NME, with Ribbon Skirt joining the bill as support.
Polka-dot clad Québec duo Angine de Poitrine step into the spotlight for one of the festival’s most iconic moments, bringing their idiosyncratic brand of microtonal jam-rock to Brighton’s seafront for an unmissable opening night celebration.
They will be joined by Montreal post-punk band Ribbon Skirt as support, adding an extra edge to the evening. Earning a reputation for their boundary-pushing sound and immersive live shows, both acts promise high-energy sets to kick off The Great Escape 2026 in unforgettable fashion.
This announcement follows the news that The Kooks, who were originally scheduled to perform a Spotlight Show that evening, have had to cancel due to injury. In an exciting update to the programme, Angine de Poitrine will now take the reins to headline the beach party, marking a major moment for the festival’s opening night.
The Opening Beach Party is part of the core festival programme, with access available via a festival wristband, subject to capacity. Festivalgoers are encouraged to plan ahead via the official app and arrive early to secure their spot.
Synonymous with new music discovery and acting as a springboard for rising artists, The Great Escape is the festival for new music. Playing host to over 450 up-and-coming artists and hotly tipped talent across 35+ walkable venues, alongside the music industry-led TGE conference, the festival will kick off the 2026 season from 13th – 16th May in Brighton. Tickets for The Great Escape festival are on sale HERE.
